In recent months, the veterinary services of Badung have recorded several isolated instances of bites from rabies-carrying dogs.
To prevent further spread of the disease, the authorities declared South Kuta—including Nusa Dua, Tanjung Benoa, Jimbaran, and part of Canggu—a zone of heightened veterinary control.
According to Acting Head of the Animal Health Department Ana Agung Istri Brahmi Witari, the main reason for the increased attention is the growing population of stray dogs. Any positive test automatically triggers a mass vaccination of animals: for instance, on July 10, vaccinations were administered to dogs around the Jimbaran Polytechnic campus and on Pratama street. Volunteers from animal lover groups are also involved, helping to catch, sterilize, and vaccinate the four-legged animals.
Tourists and pet owners need to follow a few simple rules. Vaccinate your dogs once a year, don't let them roam unsupervised, and be cautious around stray animals. If you do suffer a bite or scratch, calmly wash the wound with warm soapy water (10 minutes) and visit the nearest medical center for a preventive shot. Most hospitals will help find the vaccine, and at the state Prof. dr. I.G.N.G. Ngoerah General Hospital in Denpasar, it is offered at a subsidized rate.
In Bali, monkeys can also be a source of the virus, so even in the Monkey Forest in Ubud or by the Uluwatu temple, you should avoid getting too close to wild animals. By observing basic precautions, visitors to the island can enjoy their holiday while specialists continue to protect the resorts from rabies.
Source: nusabali
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